Re: technical skills vs. writing skills (again)

Subject: Re: technical skills vs. writing skills (again)
From: Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 13:13:30 -0800


Bonnie Granat wrote:

I am concerned about this test because of its focus on a particular product.
Without in-depth knowledge of the product, any attempt I make to clarify,
reorganize, and reorient seems doomed to missing the mark. I have done enough
research about the product to know that learning about it is not something I
can do in a couple of hours. It also seems to me that the bulk of the editing
involved in this test is in restructuring the presentation. While I have a
good idea of what I would do, I cannot be sure that I will not change the
meaning or wind up with incorrect statements.

My approach was a little different. I gave a similar warning, explained that I would show how I would go about learning, then went ahead and did the test, noting where I had to be tentative.

I seriously considered not doing the test, because, frankly, with all the work I've done and the samples I have, my experience should be self-evident. However, I quickly concluded that not taking the test would immediately take me out of the running for the job altogether - which is what apparently happened with Bonnie.
Having been on both sides of the hiring table, I know how little the various tests and questions guarantee a good hire, but I also know first hand what would happen if someone made the same claim to me. As a result, I tried to frame my objection in such a way that I would come across as cooperative, but honest and concerned. From the outcome, I gather that I succeeded. I hope so, anyway.

--
Bruce Byfield bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com 604.421.7177
http://members.axion.net/~bbyfield

"Some say the Devil's just an angel in the dark,
Some say the Devil's just a good man feeling bad,
Some say the Devil's just the lads out for a lark,
Some say the Devil plays the only music glad and good."
-Jez Lowe, "Tear-Drop Two-Step"



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Order RoboHelp X3 and receive a $100 mail-in rebate, plus FREE RoboScreenCapture, WebHelp Merge Module and iMarkupSoftware, for a total giveaway value of $473! Order here: http://www.ehelp.com/techwr-l

Help celebrate TECHWR-L's 10th Anniversary starting this month!
Check out the contests at http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/special/contests/
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday TECHWR-L....

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.



Follow-Ups:

References:
technical skills vs. writing skills (again): From: Bruce Byfield
Re: technical skills vs. writing skills (again): From: Bonnie Granat

Previous by Author: Re: technical skills vs. writing skills (again)
Next by Author: Re: technical skills vs. writing skills (again)
Previous by Thread: Re: technical skills vs. writing skills (again)
Next by Thread: Re: technical skills vs. writing skills (again)


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads